Pop 'can't even quantify' CP3's importance to young Spurs
San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich is thrilled to have Chris Paul in his locker room.
"He's gonna be a great mentor for our young guys," Popovich said at Spurs media day Monday, according to Josh Paredes of FanSided. "These guys haven't really had that. I can't even quantify how important that will be."
"I've despised Chris for many years," Popovich added, per Paredes. "It was difficult to play against him because he's a clever, clever, clever player. His IQ is off the charts."
The 39-year-old point guard is entering his 20th year in the league and signed a one-year, $10.4-million deal with the Spurs this offseason.
Paul believes he can bring a "calmness" to a young Spurs roster.
"I played against these guys last year. ... I watched film, I saw how a lot of games last year they'd be winning and then you'd lose it down the stretch," Paul told reporters Monday, according to Tom Orsborn of the San Antonio Express-News.
Paul spent last season with for the Golden State Warriors and averaged 9.2 points and 6.8 assists while being limited to 58 games.
The Spurs will look to Paul to help steward their youthful core of Keldon Johnson (24 years old), Devin Vassell (24), Jeremy Sochan (21), Stephon Castle (19), and reigning Rookie of the Year Victor Wembanyama (20).
Spurs fans will be hopeful that Paul, who sits third all time in NBA assists, can unlock Wembanyama in the pick-and-roll. The 7-foot-3 phenom averaged 21.4 points, 10.6 rebounds, and 3.6 blocks per game in his inaugural NBA campaign.
San Antonio struggled to find a primary creator last season, often utilizing Sochan as a point guard. According to NBA.com's tracking data, the team ranked 23rd in points per possession by a pick-and-roll ball-handler last year.
The Spurs haven't reached the postseason since 2018-19 and haven't won 40 games in any of the previous five campaigns.
San Antonio's season begins Oct. 24 on the road against the Dallas Mavericks.